now we hear reports the u.s. will offer direct aid to the rebels instead i presume the indirect aid we've been giving them all along. are we seeing a shift in u.s. strategy in regard to syria and is it wise? >> we are seeing a shift. the shift is in assessing what the potential is for military solution from the side of the rebels. and there looks to be a stalemate and while there is a stalemate, many civilians are dying. so clearly, the united states is engaging with the europeans with the syrian opposition, talking to the russians who have been very negative about american policy options toward syria. and they're trying to see if there are additional ways to change the dynamic because the current dynamic is not working for the syrian people and assad seems to be holding firm just long enough where more violence will continue. so, the new thinking is underway. >> john: obviously mr. putin is the big wild card here. i wish we could talk about it more. director of policy for ploughshares fund, mr. rubin. please com